Susan Stevenson proposes housing and recovery partnership reforms

LONDON, ON — Mayoral candidate Susan Stevenson is proposing a Recovery-Oriented System of Care, a review of Project Home and overhaul of Housing Stability programs, and stronger accountability for funding intended to address homelessness.

“A person on a recovery path should not encounter gaps. Shelters and supportive housing should be safe, cost effective and reduce homelessness,” said Stevenson. “Our partnerships must make those outcomes possible, and Londoners should be able to see the results.”

Stevenson would seek Council support to align London’s response with Ontario’s recovery direction, bringing provincial, health, housing, and community partners together to address recovery gaps, referrals, discharge planning, and continuing support.

Stevenson would pursue an addiction treatment centre with Ontario, establishing its service role, relationship to existing capacity, costs, and funding responsibilities. The work would include coordination with existing services and the London HART Hub.

“I want London to lead Ontario in building a Recovery-Oriented System of Care,” Stevenson said. “That requires practical agreements about pathways for recovery and the housing support that continues long term.”

The Project Home review and Housing Stability overhaul would examine prevention, timely access, stable tenancies, recovery supports, spending, and contract performance. Effective services would be retained, with changes brought forward where programs fall short. This work would connect to implementation of the London and Middlesex Housing Stability Action Plan.

Stevenson would also launch a Homeless Response Review, covering 2020–2025 and the current status of funded projects. It would seek records across municipal, provincial, federal, and donor funding streams and reconcile amounts announced, received, committed, and spent against services and outcomes.

Relevant Ontario and federal Auditor General recommendations would inform stronger outcome reporting, clear accountability, and follow-up. Delayed or underused projects would require delivery plans and a review of remedies available under funding agreements.

“We need to know what the funding delivered and what needs to improve,” Stevenson said. “I will work constructively with the governments and organizations responsible, bring decisions to Council, and report on the results.”

Stevenson would convene partners, launch the capacity assessment and reviews, and establish responsible leads and reporting dates. Proposals would be costed within her commitment to municipal tax increases under 1% in 2027 and 2028, with zero as the goal, and inflation or less in 2029 and 2030.